With tag: property_taxes

We discuss the challenges of the current education funding system
and what changes could be made to fix it, hear about author Sarah Stewart (S.S.)
Taylor's new book, The Expeditioners and we learn about the new rules regulating bait fish.

Four years ago, a Korean War veteran from South Burlington began working to convince all cities and towns in Vermont to boost their property tax benefits for disabled
veterans. Now, he's almost completed that mission.

Governor Peter Shumlin says the state will reimburse towns for some
of the property tax payments they expect to lose because of flood
damage. The governor says the plan is designed to make sure that homeowners and business owners can apply to towns for tax relief.

About 200 of Vermont's 251 towns already allow
disabled veterans to deduct $40,000 from the assessed value of
their homes in order to reduce their property taxes. That number could soon increase.
Earlier: Boosting Benefits For Disabled Veterans

In Manchester, a legal battle is
shaping up over whether income sensitivity adjustments on property tax bills
should be made public or kept confidential. Advocates on both sides say the so-called
"prebate" data makes it possible to closely estimate individual incomes.

A South Burlington man's crusade on behalf of disabled military veterans
became a statewide movement at town meetings this week. Residents in about 40 towns were inspired by the
work of Lou Lertola to increase property tax breaks for the
vets.

Tax
Commissioner Richard Westman says Vermont's reliance on the statewide property tax to help fund
education isn't sustainable, and he wants lawmakers to address the issue before
it becomes a major crisis.

An adjustment by the town of Stratton in response to
declining second home values has set the town on a collision course with the state
department of taxes. How the issue plays out could make a difference
of more than two million dollars in the state's education property tax fund.